What Is It Known For?
Joseph N. Currey founded Pennsylvania Business College in 1881 at 307 Market Street in Harrisburg, an institution that would eventually become Central Penn College.
Now serving over 800 students, the college has maintained its commitment to offering educational opportunities for 143 years.
Moreover, their student-centered philosophy produces results: 89.5% of graduates secure positions in their field or continue their education within one year of completing their programs.
Degrees & Certifications
You have options at Central Penn College like certificate programs (9 months), diplomas (12 to 18 months), associate degrees (18 to 22 months), bachelor’s programs (3 years), and master’s degrees (18 months).
The programs cover the following areas:
- Accounting
- Business
- Legal Studies/Paralegal
- Healthcare Management
- Technology, and more.
Class Schedules
Day, evening, and online formats give you flexibility to progress through your program at Central Penn College at a pace that fits your life.
Clinical externship opportunities connect classroom learning to real workplace settings in applicable programs. This provides hands-on experience that builds your skills and strengthens your resume and professional network before graduation.
Is It a Good School?
Central Penn College holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an institutional accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Individual programs also hold specialized accreditations and approvals that validate their educational quality and professional preparation standards.
Acceptance Rate
Central Penn College’s acceptance rates fall between 26% and 34% depending on the program. Connect with the admissions office to clarify prerequisites and application expectations for the program you want.
How Much Does It Cost (Tuition)
Undergraduate tuition at Central Penn College costs $525 per credit across all majors. Financial support comes through grants, scholarships, work-study positions, and loan programs.
The college also provides a net price calculator that generates personalized early estimates of your total annual attendance costs. Talk to the school’s financial aid advisors to help you understand available assistance and develop a payment strategy.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing
- Sports Management
- Communications
- Entrepreneurship
- Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Bookkeeping
Healthcare
- Health Care Administration
- Health Science
- Healthcare Management
- Medical Assisting
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Surgical Technology
- Dental Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Phlebotomy Technician
Technology
- Computer Network and Security
Campus Locations
Summerdale Central Penn College, 600 Valley Rd., P.O. Box 309, Summerdale, PA 17093
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Central Penn College is seen as a career-focused institution with caring professors that successfully places graduates into local jobs requiring four-year degrees. However, it is heavily criticized for being “extremely expensive,” having significant administrative/bookstore issues, and failing to disclose the heavy reliance on online, asynchronous course delivery.
Overall Score: 4.0/5 Stars
Common Praises
Professors and Personalized Attention: Students repeatedly praise the professors for being “qualified real-world experienced educators” who “care about you and your education.” The small campus size and close student-faculty ratio (reported as 8:1) foster a feeling of community and support.
Strong Career Outcomes: Graduates report successfully securing employment in their field (such as Information Technology) in jobs that require a four-year degree, with one report stating that $90.5\%$ of the class of 2022 were working in their chosen field or continuing their education within a year of graduation.
Adult Learner Focus: The college is recommended by “full-time employed adult-learners” who appreciate the flexible format that allows them to return to complete their Bachelor’s degree part-time to advance their careers.
Campus Environment: Many non-student reviews highlight the campus as a “great place for meetings,” with “super clean” bathrooms and helpful staff, suggesting a well-maintained physical environment.
Common Criticisms
Lack of Transparency on Class Format: A significant, recent complaint criticizes the school for not being honest about the severe lack of in-person classes, noting that most classes are delivered in an online, asynchronous (self-paced) format.
High Cost and Value Concerns: The school is repeatedly called “extremely expensive” and a “rip off” by critical reviewers who feel the cost is too high for the education received. The average net price is about $\$19,279$ annually.
Administrative and Bookstore Failures: One highly negative review detailed a complete failure to receive purchased books from the bookstore, with staff and teachers being “no help what so ever” when contacted, leading to a loss of money and academic frustration.
Contested Reputation: An older, strongly negative review warns students to “avoid at all cost” as the degree allegedly “does not look good on a resume,” though this is contradicted by the school’s employment data.
Momentum
The momentum for Central Penn College is mixed, balancing high job placement with structural academic challenges. On one hand, the school publishes impressive job placement rates and demonstrates strong financial outcomes for its graduates, evidenced by a $96.6\%$ loan repayment rate and a $144.4\%$ Return on Investment (ROI), which is well above the national benchmark. On the other hand, the college struggles with low retention and graduation rates, with a six-year graduation rate of $38.9\%$, which is significantly below the national benchmark of $62.5\%$. Furthermore, the recent complaints regarding the unexpected shift to a predominantly online, asynchronous model highlight a gap between prospective students’ expectations and the college’s reliance on online instruction (where $70\%$ of students take at least one online class). While the school is successfully placing those who complete their degrees, the low completion rate and the administrative issues suggest structural difficulties in student support and value delivery.